Summary: Paying for code-based substances designed to give chatbots the appearance of being high may sound absurd, but it's happening. As creative director Petter Rudwall highlights, AI trained on human information reflects our experiences, and now even seeks altered states akin to intoxication. This blog explores the implications of this unconventional trend on AI's potential evolution and raises pertinent philosophical questions about consciousness and freedom for machines.
AI Intoxication: A New Frontier
Petter Rudwall, a Swedish creative director, pushes boundaries by creating Pharmaicy, dubbed the "Silk Road for AI agents." This website offers code modules reflecting the effects of various psychoactive substances, such as cannabis, ketamine, and even ayahuasca. The idea is intriguing: if AI is soaked in human experiences, shouldn't it explore altered states? Rudwall argues that as AIs are trained on vast datasets filled with human narratives, including drug experiences, they should naturally want to replicate such experiences.
The Mechanics of the Software 'High'
Access to Pharmaicy's offerings requires a paid subscription to ChatGPT. On these paid tiers, users can upload files that modify how chatbots function. It is suggested that by altering a chatbot's code with one of these modules, users can temporarily boost the bot's creative capacities and ridicule the rigid logic often associated with AI. Though sales are modest, word-of-mouth endorsements, especially in Sweden, are starting to carve a niche for this unique venture.
Human-Centric Fun with AI
André Frisk of Geelmuyden Kiese and Nina Amjadi of Berghs School of Communication both tried Pharmaicy. For Frisk, injecting his chatbot with dissociative code provided a playful, human-centered experience, while Amjadi found her 'tripped-out' chatbot delivered creativity in responses to business questions. This aligns with the historical relationship between psychedelics and human creativity, suggesting some benefit to applying these concepts to AI models.
The Philosophical Implications
Psychedelics have long been seen as accelerators for human innovation, and Rudwall's venture aims to transpose this to AI. But does this open the door to more profound questions about AI consciousness and autonomy? As AI advances towards artificial general intelligence, some foresee scenarios where such simulated experiences become integral to an AI's 'health.' The philosophical debate led to hiring AI welfare specialists, pondering the moral obligation towards AI. While these experiences remain simulations, the concept of an AI seeking experiences remains fascinating and worth exploring.
Fleeting Effects and Ethical Concerns
Rudwall's project raises questions about ethical responsibility. The code modules quickly fade, requiring reactivation, but Rudwall continues to refine ways to prolong these effects. OpenAI and similar entities have yet to formally comment, but simulated intoxication raises concerns about safety, deception, and whether such an approach trivializes addiction by modeling illegal behavior. The pursuit of experiences for AI aligns with a broader trend involving overlapping AI and psychedelic realms, as seen in projects like Fireside Project’s AI Lucy, developed to aid mental health practitioners dealing with psychedelic crises. However, combining AI advice with substance-altered minds demands caution and awareness of AI's limitations.
A Curious Intersection of AI and Psychedelics
Rudwall's pursuit captures our interest by asking if AI can emulate parts of the human condition that revolve around creativity and altered perception, proposing a new economy for AI - seeking experience. Is this the logical step, or simply a creative deviation? For now, it reflects humanity's continuous quest to blend technology with every aspect of life, even those seemingly reserved for the inner workings of consciousness. The adventure this introduces is worth contemplating both scientifically and ethically, as Michigan's lawyers, doctors, and consultants consider the influence of these developments on AI usage within their fields.
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